|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 996
Expert
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 996 |
Hi to all,
OK, that may be something of an exaggeration, but I have a real hard core Windows problem for you here..
I appear to be having a problem with WMP 10, in the playback of MP3 files.
If I play a commercially recorded track that I have compressed to MP3 format and saved on my PC using WMP10, it comes out fairly distorted, particularly the bass frequencies.
Now, without changing anything at all (volumes, EQ…) in my sound out circuit, I play exactly the same file but with a different app (I’ve tried 2, RealPlayer and Power DVD) and it comes out just fine.
So the culprit just has to be WMP10.
I get this distortion with any MP3 file WMP10 plays, from whatever source.
I don’t get any sort of error message from WMP10 (“can’t find Codec…”, “damaged Codec”…)
For many months, I thought I was making distorted mp3s with Audacity but this doesn't seem to be the case.
Now, I was burning the midnight oil yesterday trying to research this one and it turns out that there is a suspect codec which provokes exactly this problem - CTMP3.acm.
So all I had to do was find this on my system, rename its extention and WMP10 would find a different, better Codec to use.
Only problem – I don’t have CTMP3.acm anywhere on my system.
Which leads me to a bunch of questions…
Is the choice of Codec determined by the file or the player? If it is the former, then why would I not be getting the distortion with other media players than WMP?
Is there some sort of interface between the media playing app. and the Codec which could be causing the problem? (Don't think it's the app itself - I have already re-downloaded and re-installed WMP10 to rule that one out)
How can I find out which Codec WMP10 is using to playback MP3s?
How can I tell it to use another one?
How can I correct the problem without making it worse (I don’t want to delete a Codec which works perfectly well with another app)
Many thanks
Marc
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 21,636
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 21,636 |
This should be in 'off-topic, not the tips area.
WMP uses Fraunhofer IIS MPEG layer-3 codec (advanced version) as default for playback. Unless the professional one is present. Then it uses that one.
The number in the priority box in control panel-sound-hardware-audio codecs-properties will tell you the order of system preference.
Remove/ reinstall codec if you think this is the problem..many places online to get it from. Or use the system disk.
Make your sound your own!
.. I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,258
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,258 |
Have you tried a system restore to a point before all this started ? Usually when this sort of thing happens it means your codecs have become corrupted. Try running all the spyware scans you can get a hold of, run anti-virus scans, do a disk defrag.
If you've downloaded any programmes since just before this started happening, uninstall them all, and see if that cures it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 996
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 996 |
Thanks for that Graham
I'm pretty confident the system isn't and has never had virus/spyware.
It has BitDef IS running permanently and I scan at least once a week with A squared/Ad-Aware/S&D...
The fault has been present for so long that I can rule out Sys Res - It would be more work getting the system back up to what it is today than finding a workaroud/alternative solution to the mp3 playback problem (which is after all confined to WMP 10).
From what I've read, the codecs are now built into the WMP install package. So if there is a corrupt file, I would have thought it would have been replaced by a clean version.
Thanks too Rharv but not sure what you mean by "the professional one".
Anyway will check out from the Control Panel and by looking into the System32 folder to see where we stand.
Cheers
Marc
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
This may not be your codec at all.
WMP has all sorts of EFFECTS in it.
Very easy to have something invoked that will affect everything it plays and also could only affect mp3 files.
The EQ inside WMP alone can be set to such high levels that it will clip every doggone note.
There is also a rather bad speed control in there somewhere IIRC, that can change the speed with rather bizarre artifacts.
*Check PLUGINS and ENHANCEMENTS in the WMP, you may have to go through each one looking to reset all to bypassed or normal.*
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,099
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,099 |
What Goldwave has to say about it.... CT in front of anything usually indicates Creative.....
GS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 996
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 996 |
Following up on Mac, I can report that there are no active plug-ins other than the visualisation ones. Now surely they can’t affect the sound ?!
But now – EUREKA – the man is right (again)
I can report that it is those pesky eq settings.
Mac – I owe you for this one…if you ever need some lyrics translated into French… !
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Ces't fantastique, mon ami! Joyeux Noël -- ici "Mac" 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post your own Tips and Tricks here
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 996
Expert
|
|
OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 996 |
Merci Mac et 'Bonnes Fêtes' to you too!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Video: Next-Level AI Music Editing with ACE Studio and Band-in-a-Box®
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 German for Windows is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!
Wir waren fleißig und haben über 50 neue Funktionen und eine erstaunliche Sammlung neuer Inhalte hinzugefügt, darunter 222 RealTracks, neue RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, "Songs with Vocals" Artist Performance Sets, abspielbare RealTracks Set 3, abspielbare RealDrums Set 2, zwei neue Sets von "RealDrums Stems", XPro Styles PAK 6, Xtra Styles PAK 17 und mehr!
Paket | Was ist Neu
Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!
The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!
The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!
Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.
This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245
The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option
Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!
Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!
For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.
Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!
Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.
Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!
With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!
Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!
If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.
A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."
"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."
"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums66
Topics81,638
Posts735,345
Members38,524
| |
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean